FLUKER BACK, HOPING HIS FIRST CONCUSSION IS HIS LAST

He had heard about them. He had known teammates who had suffered them.

But for the first time, on Sept. 18, the Chargers right tackle was diagnosed with one.

“It’s not what I expected it to be,” Fluker said. “I’m glad to be back.”

San Diego’s first-round draft pick will return to the starting lineup today against the Cowboys. He missed last week’s game in Tennessee, since gaining medical clearance to resume football activities. He was a full participant in practice throughout the week of preparation.

Fluker is not expected to be limited versus Dallas.

He hopes his first concussion experience was also his last.

The 22-year-old is told he collided with Chargers guard Jeromey Clary in a practice drill. The team was unaware of the injury, which occurs when the brain impacts against the skull. He finished practice, being diagnosed after it ended.

Fluker said he blacked out.

“I don’t recall getting popped,” Fluker said. “I was walking but I could not see. I thought I was going to go blind, for real. A certain hit, you can go blind. It blurs your vision. ... This (right) side of my brain felt slow. I was slow processing things. I got the feeling like it was dragging. The side of my face felt numb a little bit.”

The NFL has taken greater precautions to prevent, diagnose and manage concussions. They come at different levels of severity, and the timetable for recovery is on a case-by-case basis.

Chargers left tackle King Dunlap suffered a concussion against the Titans last week. He is not expected to play today.

Eyes return

Danario Alexander is focused on his comeback, wherever that may be.

The Chargers wide receiver is on injured reserve, out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered during an August practice. The torn ACL was the first to his right knee.

He has undergone five operations to his left knee.

“I’m out here doing my rehab to get back,” Alexander said earlier this month. “I’m just focused on taking it one day at a time. I feel better every day about it and am making sure I do the right things in therapy to get back to where I want to be. We’ll see what happens from there when I get back.”

Alexander is in the final year of his contract. In April, he signed a one-year, $1.323 million tender as a restricted free agent. He will become an unrestricted free agent next March.

The 25-year-old caught 37 passes for 658 yards and seven touchdowns last season in the final nine games.

“I feel like I showed a lot throughout camp, OTAs and especially last season to make the Chargers want to bring me back,” Alexander said. “You never know what’s going to happen. … We’ll see what the market shows. I’m pretty sure I’ll have to prove myself again for one year. I’m ready for it.”